Morocco
Morocco is a country that fills its plain desert landscape the vibrant colors from clothing, music, to spice. We used a tour company to hire a private driver and guide to help us navigate our time in Morocco. Morocco Countryside Tours offered a great experience at a moderate cost. Our 10-day itinerary took us across this surprisingly large country by car and included Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, the blue city of Chefchaouen, Atlas Mountain, Dades Valley and Marrakesh. This was lot of ground to cover in 10-days so if you have more time, add more days to spend less time in the car.
Things To-Do
Casablanca: Made famous in part by the 1942 Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman film by that name, this City was our first stop on our 10-day Morocco trip. We visited the Hassan II Mosque, Rick's Cafe, and the La Corniche. The Hassan II Mosque was completed in 1993 and is the second largest in Africa, holding up to 25,000 worshipers inside. It is one of the few Mosques that allow non-Muslim visitors. Though not required, many women, including this writer, cover their heads as a sign of respect.
Rabat: We visited Rabat as a stop on our drive to Chefchaouen. We visited the citadel, Oudaya Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, we visited the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and Hassan Tower, followed by lunch on a boat overlooking Rabat's famous Mohammed VI Tower.
Fes: Known as the cultural hub of Morocco, this ancient city, dating back to the 8th century, is the second largest in the country. The historic Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stood out as a highlight of our trip. The vibrant, winding streets offered a truly immersive and captivating experience, exceeding our expectations.
Erg Chebbi: There are occasions when you should embrace typical tourist activities, even if they are popular. Our camel excursion in the Western Sahara Desert was one of these instances. The journey from Fes to Erg Chebbi, the closest point to the Western Sahara, was quite lengthy. One might question whether it was all worthwhile. The response is a resounding yes.
Atlas Mountains & Dades Valley: Ouarzazate, known as the Hollywood of Morocco, is the home of the historic Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where iconic films like Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia were filmed. Prior to arriving in Marrakesh, we also traversed the stunning Atlas Mountains, pausing at Tichka Pass for some photo opportunities.
Marrakesh: The fourth largest city in Morocco is Marrakesh, a vibrant Berber city situated in the western region of the country. Renowned for its abundant cultural heritage, Marrakesh is filled with art, music, ornate structures, and the lively day and night markets that the city is famous for. During our visit, we enjoyed people-watching, shopping, and admiring some of Morocco's most exquisite architectural sites.
Where We Stayed
Morocco Countryside Tours: We highly recommend this company for anyone visiting Morocco. They arranged our accommodations, including their unique "glamping" camp in Erg Chebbi. A private guide/driver was invaluable for navigating the country, easing potential stress from road conditions, police stops, and language barriers. This allowed us to fully enjoy the best of Morocco without the usual challenges that comes with visiting a developing country.
Blog Posts - Morocco
